BUDDING Einsteins are in for a treat this weekend when Biggar hosts its first science festival.

The event officially got under way yesterday but the programme is running across a number of venues until Sunday. With talks, shows and demos for every age and interest, the festival weekend is being aimed at the whole family.

Daytime activities include hands-on science taster sessions featuring electronics gadgets, slime making and robot workshops, a light and colour show and a coding club. 

For outdoor science fun there will be forest schools, drone flying and a bee quest. 

And for young sci-fi enthusiasts there is a writing workshop with David Bishop, who has written more than 20 novels and graphic novels including Dr Who and Judge Dread books.

Or have you ever wondered what happens to your blood when it has been donated? If so, there will be an ambulance to explore and talks on how blood is used to save patients’ lives. 

For those with a passion for motoring, there will be a display of cars past and present, including the first electric car and the very latest Tesla. And there will even be a cocktail night.

Finale events on Sunday will include a thought-provoking free talk on what the Catholic Church has done for science; and in the evening, there will be a musical celebration of Scotland’s greatest and largely overlooked scientist, James Clerk Maxwell.

A spokesperson for the festival said: “This event has been showcased at many festivals including Orkney and Edinburgh International Science Festivals and we’re delighted to bring it to Biggar.

"Whether you are a full blown boffin or even if you think science isn’t your thing, we can promise there is definitely something for you. There are more than 30 events at nine venues over four days. 

“Bring family and friends to join in this inaugural Biggar Science Festival and help the first ever Biggar Science Festival go with a big Bang!”
For more information on the venues and how to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.biggarsciencefestival.co.uk